Moldova may regain status of major exporter of fruit and vegetables, ADP

Moldova could recover its position of major exporter of fruit and vegetables, Conrad Fritsch, the director of the Agribusiness Development Project (ADP), said at a conference held to close the project on Wednesday. Fritsch said that Moldova can grow more high value added products. The producers are the most important component in this respect as they know and use modern technologies, mainly in irrigation, implement quality standards and new packing and storage methods. “The emphasis during the next years must be put on training the producers, especially as managers of businesses. A regulatory framework is needed to establish a climate that will favor investment and lending. If these and other things are done, Moldova could regain the status of major exporter of fruit and vegetables,” Fritsch said Attending the conference, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Anatol Spivacenco stressed that the Agribusiness Development Project played a special role in developing high value agriculture in Moldova. The US$12 million project has been implemented by the Citizens' Network for Foreign Affairs since June 2004. During five years, the producers and processors of agricultural raw material received 23 grants to the value of US$1.3 million. Together with their own contribution in the amount of US$2.9 million, the resources were invested in developing the high value agriculture. About 100 small agricultural producers received US$200,000 in financial assistance to set up demonstrative plots and use modern technology on small fields. The projected promoted the creation or development of eight organizations selling agricultural products designed for export. Over 6,000 persons were trained to obtain loans and improve their bookkeeping abilities, while 88 producers benefited from assistance in installing lines for manufacturing agricultural raw material, fridges, irrigation systems. Another 54 farmers were helped to raise bank loans in the amount of 4.9 million lei. Assistance was provided in certifying the agricultural products and implementing quality systems. There were printed guides and other instructive materials for producers. The table grape fields and the protected areas for growing vegetables were inventoried. Development strategies and programs were formulated for the given sectors on the basis of the inventorying information.